Honesty is at a premium

Honesty is at a premium

EDITOR:

This is a sad and fearful time for me, as it is for many of my fellow Americans. Sad and fearful, not because of the economy, because the economy will recover as it did many times in the past. Sad and fearful, not because of the terrorism and the two wars going on, because we have lived and survived through many wars and defeated many terrorists. Sad and fearful, not because of the rising unemployment and home foreclosure, because our people will be employed again and the homeless will have homes. Sad and fearful, not because of the federal deficit, because we have the largest economy in the world and we will pay it back.

I am sad, fearful and angry, as are many Americans, because our president cannot find enough honest and qualified men and women to fill important government posts. The reason(s) he is having this difficulty is because he made honesty and integrity as part of his requirements. This requirement seems reasonable and admirable, but somehow it does not seem to fit with the culture in Washington.

This strikes at the very core of our values, our strength and our character. It strikes at the core of our reputation as the leading free nation in the world. But how can we be free if our President cannot find enough honest people to serve and to safeguard that freedom? How can we lead the world if honesty and integrity are rare among those of us most qualified to lead this nation? How can we expect the world to trust us if we, ourselves, are not trustworthy? How can we be strong if we are sick inside?

It is not the economy, the terrorists, the wars, or the boogie man we should fear, it is this disease, this plague of greed, corruption, dishonesty, and lack of integrity that have tainted some of the most educated and most qualified among us to the extent that our president cannot find enough qualified and clean candidates to serve this nation.

If we agree with the standards of honesty and integrity that President Obama expects from our government leaders, then we should never forget those standards when we exercise our most cherished and most powerful weapon — the vote. Should we abrogate our responsibility and allow this disease, this plague, which has put us in a sad state to permeate our government, it will be the slow death that will creep over us slowly but surely that someday, we will not know when it was, that we have died.

RASHID A. ABUD, M.D.

Canfield

Hubbard council members ignored cutback opponents

EDITOR:

This is in response to “Hubbard officials weigh cutting streets position” article on March 20.

I attended the council meeting that night, and I’m disgusted with the council men and women. A overwhelming majority of citizens there were against abolishing the position of Paul Collins. It seemed to me these council people had an agenda they were going to complete regardless of the citizens who elected them.

I can just hope that the men and women of Hubbard will remember this when the next election is held. Paul Collins was a great asset to the community and will be greatly missed. I can just hope we survive next winter without him, and next year when the new budget is prepared that your family or friend is not affected and their job abolished for the political agenda.

MELANIE WOMER

Hubbard